I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea in 1995. Since that time I’ve used 5 different Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machines. About every 5 years, my health insurance company would tell me: “It’s time for a new CPAP machine.” And, I got to keep my old CPAP machines which were all in working condition. This was an annoyance to Diane who hates clutter. But, when the Pandemic hit and ventilators were in short supply, I called the Respiratory Unit at Memorial Hospital in Niagara Falls and asked if I could donate four working CPAP machines. They enthusiastically accepted my old, faithful CPAP machines.
A few months later a nurse from the Respiratory Unit called me to say those CPAP machines saved lives.
Sorry for the digression. On July 5, 2023 I got my 6th CPAP machine: the new Resmed Airsense 11. For the past 5 years I’ve used the Resmed Airsense 10–the best CPAP I’ve ever used. But now, after using the Airsense 11 for nearly a month, I have to say this new model is superior to the Airsense 10.
My first CPAP machine weighed over 20 pounds and the size of an old Macintosh computer. It was No Fun traveling around lugging such a heavy and awkward unit. It was also noisy: it had a vacuum cleaner motor. But, every CPAP machine since then grew lighter and smaller. The Airsense 11 is only 2 pounds, the size of a loaf of bread, and is whisper quiet. I love it!
My other sleep problem over the years was leaky CPAP masks. I’ve tried over a dozen different masks. The only one that didn’t leak (much) was the ADAM System nasal pillows by Puritan. Puritan was acquired years ago and doesn’t exist any more. I could still find parts online, but another problem attacked me: dry mouth. Even though I used a chin strap to keep my mouth closed, I’d wake up in the morning with my mouth feeling like the Sahara Desert!!
According to my CPAP advisor, Marcie, the answer to that problem was a full face mask. I’d used full face masks in the past, but they were heavy and uncomfortable. But, Fisher & Paykel just brought out a new full CPAP mask called the Evora. Once I got used to it, I found my dry mouth was a thing of the past and I had few leaks. I highly recommend the Resmed Airsense 11 and the Fisher & Paykel Evora Full CPAP Mask! There are few things more wonderful than a Good Night’s Sleep and now Airsense 11 and Evora are making that happen for me. How’s your sleep? GRADE: A+